Hello For beautiful BC

[CFSapper]

Hey there gentlemen, I've been lurking around the forum here for a little bit and decided to make a user name and say hello.

A little about me, I'm in the Canadian Forces as a Reserve Combat Engineer, and have done one tour of Afghanistan, the reason I'm (trying) to take up straight shaving is I have to shave every day for work, and want to turn it from a chore into something I look forward to doing every morning right along next to PT, save some money as a go threw a disposable cartridge in a about a week, it also seems to me a more hygienic way to shave in the field as its easier to clean.

However I have run in to some problems with getting it to shaving sharpness Ive spent several hour with my Norton 4000/8000 following the pyramid as directed yet never passes the falling hair test and would not produce what I would call a good shave. some help would defiantly be appreciated as I have searched but can find what I am doing wrong.

I bought a quality razor DOVO Straight Razors

a Norton stone and a good quality strop yet I can never get it to sharpen back up to as sharp as it was the day I bought it. some help would be greatly appreciated.

[Maxi]

Hmmmmm....on the Norton 4/8, you can get a comfortable shave.

After you've done your pyramid, do a conservative one (4k/8k): 1/5, 3/5, 5/5, 3/5, 1/5, 1/7.

Then stay on the 8k, clean off the razor and the stone. Put new water on the 8K, and then wipe it off gently with your finger. Now do 15 really super light X strokes, nice and slow....going down the stone should take about 3-4 seconds, and then 3-4 seconds coming back.

Then strop and give a test.

This might help....it's always easier to do this in person, but I'm in Toronto...so I'll do my best on-line!

[pinklather]

Sapper, Welcome.

I would 2nd Maxi here. It sounds like you may be new to honing, and it can be a delicate art, not quickly learned. I'm not one that has learned it quickly at all, but enjoy my edges. A bit of time on Glen's videos on honing might be helpful. FWIW, in your future w/ honing, if you can't get a good shave off an 8k, no other stone or technique will fix that. Its a milestone marker, like being absolutely confident in your bevel set. Get those two areas right, and you have a good shave, and a good edge for further refinement.

It would be hard to recommend strongly enough to post any and all questions here. The guys have been incredibly kind to myself and others. The quality of the helps is hard to match. I hope to see more posts on your ongoing efforts.

[CFSapper]

hey gents well, i think i have discovered my problem I first need to have At the bevel set then i have to lap my stones...as of right now i cant afforded 2 more stone :P so at this point any one know of a good honemaster here in BC? I would rather a professional get me started the destroying my razor anymore the i have.

[holee]

If u can , get an artificial nagura stone ( $10) and some wet/dry 320 grit sandpaper at Lee Valley. Then watch gssixguns video on honing with a 4000/8000 norton. Thats what i do.

Hope that helps.

[christophe]

Sorry, I don't know of any honemeister in BC.

But you may want to check out the service page of the classifieds and see if people are in your area (Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds).
Or look at the google map and contact people in B.C. / your area (http://straightrazorpalace.com/vbgooglemapme.php)

Many many shavers also hone, but most hone their own razors only, few hone for others, and fewer of them are true honemeister.
What I mean is that even if you find someone, they may not hone your razor, but they may be willing to teach you.

Where about in BC are you?

Also, a very advised strategy is to get 1 (minimum) or 2 (recommanded) razors honed by a honemeister(s).
One that you use to shave, one that you keep as a "shave-ready" reference.
Then, if you want to, you can buy cheap razor on craigslist, ebay, or flea markets in order to train your honing skills while having a reference(s) to compare to.

Cheers
Christophe

[cpcohen1945]

When I started honing, I couldn't get a decent shave from a Norton 8K. I always used a CrOxide pasted strop after it, and stropped _a lot_ after honing.

That seemed to work.

I'm sure it's _possible_ to shave from an 8K. I don't know if "honing to shave-ready on an 8K" is a good test for a beginner trying to hone his own (and only) razor.

I'm in Richmond, BC. If you're in the lower mainland, send me a PM. I've honed just enough razors to be dangerous.

Charles

[gssixgun]

Welcome Sapper, I am across the border in Idaho right below Creston BC if yer close drop me a pm, we can meet up in East Port have coffee and hone a few razors...

[Catrentshaving]

Welcome Sapper, I am across the border in Idaho right below Creston BC if yer close drop me a pm, we can meet up in East Port have coffee and hone a few razors...

That offer is worth its weight in gold if you can do it

[CFSapper]

Wow thx you very much for the offer gssixgun I really wish I could take you up on that but right now its a little outta my way. I have to make a trip to Edmonton sometime this year and may swing that way instead of heading through the mountains.